How to reduce radon levels in your home

You may have been hearing more about radon gas in homes lately, and for good reason. Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers and it is the main cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.Radon is a radioactive gas that forms when the uranium in soil and rocks breaks down. The gas can move through small spaces in the soil and rock upon which a house is built. It can seep into a home through dirt floors, cracks in the foundation, sump pumps, floor joints, basement drains and gaps around pipes.
Reducing high radon in a home is easy and affordable. Certified radon mitigation professionals will find the best and most cost-effective way to reduce the radon level in your home.
The most common radon reduction method is called sub-slab depressurization. It involves a pipe being installed through the foundation floor that goes to an outside wall or up to the roof line with a small fan attached. This method works to draw radon gas from below the house to the outside before it can enter your home.
This type of system can be installed in less than a day and reduces the radon level in a home by over 80 per cent.
Increasing ventilation and sealing major entry routes can also help reduce radon levels, but their effectiveness will be limited depending on how high the radon level is and the unique characteristics of each home. For help reducing high radon levels, look for a service provider that has been certified through the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program.
Find more information at www.canada.ca/radon.
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